Machine for scrubbing or brushing leather.



C. BUHE. MACHINE FOR SCHUBBING OR BRUSHING LEATHER.

APPLICATION FI LED MAR. 9. 19!?- Patented July 17, 1917.

4 SHEETS'SHEET I C. RUHE.

MACHINE FOR SCRUBBING OR BRUSHING. LEATHER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.9.19I7. wwm Patented July 17, 1917.

' 4 SHEETSSHEET 2 c. um-3. MAGHINE FOR SCRUBBING OR BRUSHING LEATHER.

1$3$VU90 1 APPLICATION menu/m. 9. 1911. ?atentedJu1y17, 1917' 4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

C. RUHE.

MACHINE FOR SCRUBBING 0R BRUSHING LEATHER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9. 1912.

4 SHEETSSHE'ET 4.

Patented July 17, 1917.

CARLETON RUHE. OF CLEAN, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR SCRUBBING OB. BRUSHING LEATHER.

maaroo.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 117, ram.

Application filed March 9, 1917. Serial No. 153,659.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, CARLETON RUHE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Olean, in the county of Cattaraugus and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Scrubbing or Brushing Leather, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for brushing, scrubbing or washing leather, after the tanning process thereof, while not necessarily restricted to this use.

An important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character, which is formed of few and simple parts which are arranged in compact relation.

A further object of the invention is to provide eflieient means to hold the hide or stock upon a traveling support, while it is subjected to the action of brushes, preferably driven in opposite directions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character which is convenient in use, and

expeditions in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description:

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention, 7

Fig. 2 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view through the same,

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a detail section through a train of gears taken on line 1 .t of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the machine, and,

Fig. 6 is a detail section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates a supporting frame comprising vertical posts 11 which are rigidly connected by horizontal longitudinal and transverse ,beams 12, 13; and 14, 15.

The numeral 16 designates a preferably cylindrical. housing, mounted w1th1n the supporting frame and rigidly secured there to. This housing is provided upon one side with an inlet opening 17, adapted to be covered and uncovered by a sliding door 18. Disposed near the opening 17 is a horizontal support or track 19 preferably formed of spaced slats, secured to the beam 1%. The

opposite side and near its lower portion with an outlet opening 21, adjacent to which is a curved guide 22, as shown.

Arranged within the housing 16 is a rotatable drum 23, rigidly mounted upon the shaft 2%. Passed about the drum 23 is a flexible endless belt 23, engaging rolls 24,

upwardly by compressible coil springs 30- and the lower ends of these rods are screwthreaded and have screw-threaded engagement with hand wheels 31, as shown. It is thus apparent that the hand wheels serve to regulate the extent of upward movement of the drum or member 23, due to the action of the springs 30, but these hand wheels in no way interfere with the downward movement of the drum 23.

Arranged above the drum 23, preferably in alinement with the vertical longitudinal axis therewith, is a hide feed rollor cylinder 32, rigidly mounted upon a horizontal shaft 33. This horizontal shaft, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3,is j ournaled through stationary bearings 34, rigidly attached to the beams 12. It should be stated at this point that the inner roll 32 does not move vertically with respect to the hide supporting drum 23 but is at all times in contact therewith or in proximity thereto, to engage with the hide passing between it and the drum 23.

Arranged upon the opposite sides of the feeding roll 32 are cylindrical brushes 3 1 and 35, rigidly mounted upon rotatable shafts 36 and 37 The shaft 36 is journaledrigidly mounted upon the beams 12.

Having pivotal connection with the shaft housing or casing 16 is provided upon its 36 are vertically swinging arms 39, adapted to swing in a substantially vertical plane.

These arms are arranged outwardly of the feeding roll 32 and its shaft 33 and their swinging movement is not impeded thereby. The shaft .37 is journaled through the free ends of the arms 39, as shown. Means are provided to raise and lower the arms 39. This means comprises vertically swinging 'leverso-r arms 40, pivoted upon the shaft 24. Adj'ustably mounted upon the outer ends of the levers 40 are weights 42. The'forward endsof the levers 40 are pivotally connected with links '43, the lower ends of whiclrhave pivotal connection with levers 44 of a man ually "operated device.- These levers are pivoted at their ends, as-shown at 45, with the posts 11. The rear ends of the levers-44 have a pedal 46 secured thereto. The upper endsof the links 43 have pivotal connection asshown at 47 with the free ends of'the arms-39:" The weights 42 are adapted to overba'lance-the weight of the arms 39 and associated elements, whereby these weights "automatically move the arms 39 upwardly. This upward movementofthearms elevates the brush 35. The arms 39are moved downwardly by'the-operator depressing the 'peda'l 46,'swinging the levers 49 downwardly which movement is transmitted to the arms -39through' the medium of the links 43.

Power is preferably applied to the shaft 36through the medium of a pull'eyi48, rigidly mounted thereon. This shaft 36 has sprocket wheels 49 rigidly mounted thereon, engaged by sprocket chains 50, engaging sprocket wheels 51. The sprocket wheels 51 are rigidly mounted upon a shaft-52, journaled through the end portions of the arms 39: The shaft -52 hasgears or pinions 53 'rigidlyfimounted thereon, engaging gears or pinions '54,- which are rigidly mounted upon the shaft 37 It is thus apparent that when the pulley 48 is ClIlVGIliH the direction of'its arrow-the brush 37 will turn in the same direction and this rotationis transmitted to thebrush 35, which rotates in tlie direction of its arrow and'in the opposite direction'to that of the brush-34. The shaft 36also carriesa" sprocket wheel 55 engaged 'by a sprocket chain '56. This sprocket chain engages alarge sprocket wheel 57, rotatable upon "a stubshaft 58. This stub shaft is rigidly mounted upon'a plate or standard "59,-which is fixed to the beams 12and 13, as Lshownx The sprocket wheel 57 has a smaller gear "wheel "60 secured thereto for rotation therewith and this gear wheel engages a larger-gear wheel 61, to drive it at a re --"du'ced speed. Thegear wheel 61 is mounted iupona stub shaft '62'carried by thesupport 59. The numeral 63'designates a stub: shaft I carried by the support 59 and havingasmall v gear wheel64 rotatable thereon; The gear wheel 64 is driven by the gear wheel 61 and wheel rigidly mounted upon the shaft 24. The sprocket chain 69 is sufliciently slack to permit of the vertical adjustment of the shaft 24.

Disposed between the roll 32 and the brushes 34 and 35 are perforated cleansing liquid supply, pipes 35, to supply water or the like'to the rotating brushes, or to the hide, in proximity to such brushes. These pipes are supported by vertical arms 36,

secured to the horizontal beams 12. Connected with the pipes 35 by means of 'T- couplings 37 are water feed pipes 38', havlngconnection with a suitable source of water (not-shown). Arranged near and" upon the outer side of therotatable brush 35-is-a guard 40, held-in a desired position, by any suitable means.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the drum 23 and endless belt 23 is driven counterclockwise,- while the feeding-roll32 and the brush 34 are dI'iVQII ClOCk-WiSG. The lower portions of the roll-'32 and brush 34 travel in the same direction with the upper portion of the endless belt-or traveling support 23. The brush- 35 travels counterolock-wise and its lower portion travelsin an opposite direction to the travelof the upper portion of the drum '23 and endless belt 23. This movement of the-brush 35 cannot prevent the-passage-ofthe leather between it and the traveling-support 23, as the feeding roll 32 serves'to" clamp thehide to the traveling support, and the brush 34 serves to aid in feeding the hide after it passes upon the left side of the feedingroll 32. The weights 42 normally retaining the arms 39 elevated, the hide is passed through theopening 1'7 and placedupon the intake end of the endless belt 23, and is carried thereby upon the-drum 23,--so that it will be carried by the drum beneath the-feeding roll 32. This feeding roll remaining in permanent contact or proximity to the drum secures the hide thereto for rotation therewith. The operator then depresses the pedal 46 and brings the brush 35 into contact with the hideto-clean-it. Vhile the brushes 34 and .35 areacting upon the hide the same may be 'subjectedto the action of a suitable cleaning liquid, such as water containing a detergent in solution, such cleaning liquid discharging from the pipes 35. The hides, after treatment, are carried by the endless belt 23, to the outlet guide 22, and are then discharged from the machine.

While I have shown and described the endless conveyer 23, traveling about the drum' 23, I wish it understood that the inventionvis not restricted to the use of this endless conveyer, as some degree of success tion, certain of the claims will omit the endless conveyer.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes inthe shape, size, and. arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claimz 1. In a machine for scrubbing or brushing leather, a frame, a rotatable drum supported by the frame, a feed roll mounted above and in proximity to the drum and connected with the frame, a rotatable brush disposed upon the discharge side of the feed roll in proximity to the drum and connected with the frame, a second rotatable brush arranged upon the intake side of the feed roll in proximity to the drum, means to raise and lower the second named rotatable brush, and means to rotate the feed roll and the first named brush in a direction so that their lower portions travel in the same direction with the upper portion of the drum and to rotate the second named brush in a direction so that its lower portion travels in an opposite direction to the rotation of the upper portion of the drum.

2. In a machine for scrubbing or brushing leather, a frame, a rotatable drum connected with the frame, a feed roll arranged above and in proximity to the drum and connected with the frame so that it cannot move away from the drum, a rotatable brush disposed upon the discharge side of the feed roll in proximity to the drum and connected with the frame so that it can not move away from the drum, vertically swinging arms pivotally connected with the frame and having their free ends arranged upon the intake side of the feed roll, a rotatable brush carried by the free ends of the arms and vertically movable therewith into and out of proximity to the drum, automatic means to move the arms upwardly, and manually operated means to move the arms downwardly.

3. In a machine for scrubbing or brushing leather, a frame, a rotatable drum arranged within the frame, yielding means for supporting the drum, a feed roll arranged above the drum in proximity thereto and connected with the frame, a rotatable brush arranged upon the discharge side of the feed roll in proximity to the drum and con nected with the frame, vertically swinging arms pivotally connected with the frame and having their free ends arranged upon the intake side of the drum, a rotatable brush carried by the free ends of the arms and arranged upon the intake sideof the roll and movable vertically toward and away from the drum, automatic means connected with the arms to move them up wardly, and a treadle connected with the arms to move them downwardly and arranged upon the intake side of the frame.

4. In a machine for scrubbing or brushing leather, comprising a frame, a traveling support connected therewith, a feed roll arranged above and in proximity to the traveling support and connected with the frame, a shaft connected with the frame and arranged upon the discharge side of the feed roll, a brush carried and driven by the shaft and adapted to operate in proximity to the traveling support, arms pivotally mounted upon the shaft and having their free ends arranged upon the intake side of the drum, a brush pivotally connected with the free ends of the arms and arranged upon the intake side of the roll in proximity to the traveling support, means to drive the shaft, gearing connecting the shaft and the second named brush, and means to raise and lower the arms.

5. In a machine for scrubbing or brushing leather, a frame, a rotatable drum supported by the frame, a feed roll disposed above and in proximity to the drum and connected with the frame, a rotatable brush disposed upon the discharge side of the feed roll in proximity to the drum and connected with the frame, a second rotatable brush arranged upon the intake side of the feed roll in proximity to the drum and connected with the frame, means to raise and lower the second named rotatable brush, and automatic means to support and feed hide between the feed roll and the drum.

6. In a machine for scrubbing or brushing leather, a frame, a rotatable drum supported by the frame, a feed roll disposed above and in proximity to the drum and connected with the frame, a rotatable brush disposed upon thedischarge side of the feed roll in proximity to the drum and connected with the frame, a second rotatable brush arranged upon the intake side of the feed roll in proximity to the drum and connected with the frame, means to move the second named brush toward and away from the drum, and an endless belt passed about the drum and extending laterally upon the intake side thereof for a substantial distance.

7. In a machine for scrubbing or brushing leather, a frame, a rotatable drum connected with the frame, a feed roll arranged above and in proximity to the drum and connected withthe frame, a rotatable brush disposed upon the discharge side of the feed roll in proXi'mi-tyto the drum and connected withthe frame, a second rotatable brush arranged upon the intake side ofthe feed roll in proximity to the drum, and an endless belt receiving therein the feed roll and extend-e ing upon opposite sides of the drum beyond the brushes for substantial distances.

8. In a machine for scrubbing or brushin leather, a frame, an endless belt connected with the frame, a member arranged beneath the upper portion of the endless belt and serving to support it against downward movement, a feed roll arranged near andabove the endless belt and connected with the frame, a rotatable brush disposed upon the discharge side of the feed roll in proximity to the drum and connected with the frame, a second rotatable brush arranged upon the intake side of the feed roll in proximity to the drum, means to raise and lower the second named rotatable brush, and means to rotate the feed roll and the two brushes.

9. In a machine for scrubbing or brushing leather, a frame, a traveling support connected therewith, a feed roll arranged above the traveling support to contact with ma- CARLETON RUHE.

a copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D, G. 

